POST TYPE: Temporary Funded Contract post, the indicative duration of which is up to 23 months.
A panel may be formed from which future similar vacancies may be filled.
TITLE OF PROJECT: Forest Genetics Resources Research Programme
LOCATION: Teagasc, Forestry Development Department, Ashtown, Co Dublin
REPORTING TO: Head of Department and/or other nominated manager.
GRADE/SALARY: Research Officer, with a starting salary total of €31,729 per annum. The current salary scale is €31,729 to €56,430.

Starting pay will be at the minimum of the scale per Government Circular E100/8/82. Exceptional circumstances may apply for candidates with current or previous service in the public sector (including Teagasc).

Remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

BASIC FUNCTION: U.C.D. AND Teagascs' Forestry Development Department have secured funding from DAFM under the COFORD Programme for Competitive Forestry Research and Development for a new project on the genetic improvement and the evaluation of growth and disease status in existing trials of birch and alder. The genetic improvement component of the project involves the establishment of indoor seed orchards of downy birch and expanding, maintaining and monitoring flowering and seed production in existing seed orchards of birch and alder with an assessment of the routes to commercialization of seeds. Assessments and reports are required on the disease status of existing alder provenance/ progeny trials and on growth and quality characteristics of birch and alder families. The project will investigate and evaluate the potential of birch and alder for carbon sequestration as well as for short rotation forestry. The work will extend existing collaborations with UK institutions and all results will be disseminated to stakeholders in the forestry sector.

The appointee will be based at the Teagasc Ashtown Research Centre, Dublin.

Essential Qualifications

• Minimum of an honours Level 8 degree in forestry /biology/agricultural science.

Desirable Qualifications

• Completed or near completion of Ph.D in Botany / Biology / Genetics/ Forestry
• Applicants with a post graduate qualification in Botany/Biology/ Genetics/Forestry will have a distinct advantage

HOW TO APPLY

For a more detailed job specification and how to apply please log on to www.teagasc.ie/careers and/or www.publicjobs.ie Applications should be made on-line through www.publicjobs.ie. Candidates must register their details prior to applying. Application forms cannot be accepted after the closing date.

The completed application documents must be forwarded so as to reach the Public Appointments Service not later than midnight,9^th February 2012.If you do not receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application within 2 working days of applying, please contact Lynda Bridger on 00353 (0) 1 8587641.